Crosslinkable polymeric compositions with diallyl isocyanurate crosslinking coagents, methods for making the same, and articles made therefrom

Abstract

Crosslinkable polymeric compositions comprising an ethylene-based polymer, an organic peroxide, and a diallyl isocyanurate crosslinking coagent. Such crosslinkable polymeric compositions and their crosslinked forms can be employed as polymeric layers in wire and cable applications, such as insulation in power cables.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A crosslinkable polymeric composition, consisting of:
 (a) an ethylene-based polymer; 
 (b) an organic peroxide; and 
 (c) a diallyl isocyanurate crosslinking coagent having a structure of formula (I): 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           wherein R of formula (I) is an alkvl having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms or an alkenvl having 10 carbon atoms; and 
           optionally, one or more additives selected from antioxidants, processing aids, fillers, coupling agents, ultraviolet absorbers or stabilizers, antistatic agents, nucleating agents, slip agents, plasticizers, lubricants, viscosity control agents, tackifiers, anti-blocking agents, surfactants, extender oils, acid scavengers, flame retardants, and metal deactivators or an alkenyl having 10 carbon atoms. 
         
       
     
     
       2. The crosslinkable polymeric composition of  claim 1 , wherein said diallyl isocyanurate crosslinking coagent and said organic peroxide are present in a coagent-to-peroxide weight ratio of greater than 1:1. 
     
     
       3. The crosslinkable polymeric composition of  claim 1 , wherein said ethylene-based polymer comprises a high-pressure low-density polyethylene; wherein said organic peroxide comprises dicumyl peroxide; wherein the additive is present and is an antioxidant. 
     
     
       4. The crosslinkable polymeric composition of  claim 1 , wherein said ethylene-based polymer is present in an amount ranging from 50 to 99 weight percent, based on the entire crosslinkable polymeric composition weight; wherein said organic peroxide is present in an amount of less than 1.0 weight percent, based on the entire crosslinkable polymeric composition weight; wherein said diallyl isocyanurate crosslinking coagent is present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 3 weight percent, based on the entire crosslinkable polymeric composition weight. 
     
     
       5. The crosslinkable polymeric composition according to  claim 1 , wherein when said crosslinkable polymeric composition undergoes crosslinking, said crosslinkable polymeric composition has a scorch improvement of at least 15 minutes when compared to a comparative crosslinkable polymeric composition except that the comparative crosslinkable polymeric composition contains no crosslinking coagent, which has been replaced with an equivalent amount of additional ethylene-based polymer. 
     
     
       6. The crosslinkable polymeric composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said crosslinkable polymeric composition exhibits a crosslinking coagent migration to the surface of said crosslinkable polymeric composition of less than 1,000 parts per million, based on the total weight of said crosslinkable polymeric composition, when stored for four weeks at 23° C. and 1 atm. 
     
     
       7. A crosslinked polymeric article prepared from the crosslinkable polymeric composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       8. A coated conductor, comprising:
 a conductive core; and 
 a polymeric layer at least partially surrounding said conductive core, wherein at least a portion of said polymeric layer comprises said crosslinked article of  claim 7 .